Third fire in Rugged Terrain Complex, Michigan’s U.P., is now fully contained

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Tree roots are exposed and blackened by the Ridge Fire, which burned mostly through the ground.
Nov. 13, 2026
Contact: Keith Murphy, 906-250-1382

The Ridge Fire near Marquette — one of three fires in the so-called Rugged Terrain Complex — is now fully contained, thanks in part to snowy weather. It is the last of the fires to reach 100% containment.

Danger still remains, though. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is asking people to stay out of the fire zone because many trees have been weakened by the fire.

“These trees may look fine, but the fire burned deep and damaged their root systems. These trees could fall at any time,” said Keith Murphy, DNR resource protection manager for the Upper Peninsula.

The Ridge Fire, approximately 500 acres, is located 10 miles northwest of Marquette, north of the Dead River Basin and west of County Road 510. It was spotted by a DNR pilot Oct. 9. The cause remains under investigation.

Both of the other fires in the Rugged Terrain Complex were fully contained earlier this month:

  • The 600-acre Craig Lake Fire, located at the north end of Craig Lake State Park in Baraga County, was detected by a DNR pilot Oct. 8 and later confirmed to be caused by a lightning strike.
  • The 350-acre Black River Fire, located 4 miles south of Wakefield, was detected Oct. 11 and initially managed by the U.S. Forest Service. The DNR took over management of the fire Oct. 13. It also was caused by lightning.

As always, the DNR reminds everyone to check Michigan.gov/BurnPermit before planning to burn yard debris or start a campfire, and to have an accessible water source nearby. For more fire safety tips, visit Michigan.gov/PreventWildfires.
Wildlife

Habitual wildlife offender charged again with poaching deer in Van Buren County

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Nov. 13, 2026
Contact: Lt. Gerald Thayer, 269-204-7045

 

antlers with evidence tagJustin Ernst, 38, of Lapeer County, was arraigned today in Van Buren County’s 7th District Court on eight counts of natural resources violations that occurred Oct. 31-Nov. 1 in Paw Paw and Lawrence townships.

Ernst, whose hunting license was permanently revoked in 2022, was charged with illegally taking five deer, including two nine-points and one eight-point.

Ernst faces $22,000 in reimbursement for the following:

  • Killing deer outside of firearm season with a firearm (five counts).
  • Hunting while revoked (one count).
  • Off-road vehicle trespassing (one count).
  • Recreational trespassing (one count).

“We believe our department has highlighted the severity of these continued crimes by Ernst, and he is essentially robbing the public of a valued resource,” said Brandon Kieft, chief of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division. “We hope these charges will help prevent further issues with this habitual offender.”

Ernst faces additional, non-poaching charges requested by the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office.

DNR conservation officers are fully licensed law enforcement officers who provide natural resources protection, ensure recreational safety and protect residents through general law enforcement and conducting lifesaving operations in the communities they serve.

Learn more at Michigan.gov/ConservationOfficers.
Poachers

Michigan’s Hoffmaster State Park to Close for Special Managed Deer Hunt Nov. 20-23

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Photo courtesy Michigan DNR

P.J. Hoffmaster State Park will close Friday-Monday, Nov. 20-23, to accommodate a managed deer hunt aimed at reducing local deer populations and the impact on natural resources.

For the safety of all visitors, including walkers, hikers and other visitors, the entire park, including the day-use area and trails, will close during the four-day hunt. The campground is already closed for the season.

This controlled hunt is a science-based wildlife management tool designed to reduce deer numbers to a healthy, sustainable level, allowing the park’s forests and other natural habitats to recover. Read more

General

Love Michigan’s Trails? Apply by Nov. 15 to Help Shape Trail-Related Priorities

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Photo courtesy Michigan DNR

Millions of people take to state trails each year to hike, bike, snowshoe and cross-country ski. Now, the DNR is looking for one of those devotees to fill an opening on the Nonmotorized Advisory Workgroup. It’s a great opportunity to help advise and make recommendations about development, management, stewardship, funding and planning for over 4,600 miles of state?managed, natural-surface, nonmotorized trails.

“We’re incredibly proud of our reputation as the nation’s Trails State, and this collection of quality trails is a big part of what draws residents and visitors outdoors every year and all four seasons,” said Tim Novak, DNR state trails coordinator. “For this vacancy, we’re looking for someone who is passionate about natural-surface trails and who will bring energy, ideas and perspective to the group.” Read more

Wildlife

MI DNR Seeks Public Input on State’s Parks, Trails, Waterways

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Photo courtesy Michigan DNR

That picturesque state park your family has camped at for years. The wooded trail that brings you peace — and your four-legged companion utter joy. The boat launch that is your tried-and-true spot for fishing excursions with friends.

State-managed parks, trails and waterways are important to each of us because they’re places where memories are made. For this reason, the DNR wants to hear from you as staff looks ahead and plans the future of these precious public spaces.

“The future of Michigan’s parks and recreation system should be shaped by the people who use, support and care about it,” said Thomas Bissett, chief of the DNR Parks and Recreation Division. “Input from our staff, partners, visitors and communities helps us better understand what’s working, where challenges exist and where opportunities lie.”

Public input is sought on the following projects: Read more

Wildlife

Rossi Revolvers: Add a Trusty Wheelgun to Your Collection and Save $30 This Holiday Season

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The holidays are almost here. It’s the perfect time to add a trusty wheelgun to your collection — and save big!

Now through December 27, 2026, purchase any new Taurus® or Rossi® revolver and get $30 back on us.* Talk about holiday spirit!

For full rebate details or to redeem this exclusive holiday offer, simply visit TaurusPromos.com today.

*Includes the Rossi Circuit Judge and Taurus Judge® Home Defender. Read more

Firearms, Promotions

Heritage Rough Rider: Saddle Up for Savings This Holiday Season with $25 Back

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Yeehaw! It’s time to saddle up for savings, partner.

Now through December 27, 2026, purchase any new Heritage Rough Rider® or Rough Rider® Rancher carbine and get $25 back on us.* Talk about strikin’ gold this holiday season!

For full rebate details or to redeem this exclusive holiday offer, simply visit TaurusPromos.com today.

*Offer valid on qualifying .22 LR models only. Read more

Firearms, Promotions

Taurus Gives the Gift of Savings This Holiday Season with Two $30 Rebates

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Taurus, a leading manufacturer of reliable, high-quality firearms, is giving holiday shoppers two ways to save. Now through December 27, 2026, customers can enjoy two $30 rebates from Taurus — and make their holiday dollars go even further.

The Taurus $30 eXtreme Rebate: Purchase any new Taurus GX2™, Taurus GX4™, Taurus GX4™ Carry or Taurus TX™ 9 pistol and get $30 back on us!

The Taurus | Rossi $30 Revolver Rebate: Purchase any new Taurus® or Rossi® revolver and claim your $30 rebate.*

*Includes the Rossi Circuit Judge and Taurus Judge® Home Defender. Read more

Firearms, Promotions

Speer Awarded Contract to Provide 9mm Luger JHP Ammunition to the Canadian DND

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Speer Ammunition, part of The Kinetic Group, a member of CSG Group (Euronext Amsterdam: CSG), was recently awarded a contract to supply 9mm Luger JHP Ammunition to the Canadian Department of National Defence (DND). The cartridge awarded was the Speer Gold Dot G2, 9mm Luger, 135-grain load, an advanced self-defense and duty load featuring a bonded jacket-core design and an elastomer-filled shallow nose cavity. The agreement will supply the DND for up to three years and 4.2 million rounds.

“We have a long history with the Canadian DND, and we are extremely pleased with this new contract win,” said David Kline, Speer’s Director of Government Contract Engineering. “This contract reinforces the trust international law enforcement agencies place in our reliable, innovative products. Speer is the gold standard in dependability and terminal performance, and we are proud to continue supplying agencies with exceptional duty ammunition.”

Speer has enhanced the law-enforcement proven Gold Dot G2 bullet, optimizing the design and loading to provide superior feeding, ballistics and terminal performance through compact concealed handguns. The Gold Dot G2 features an exclusive bullet nose design. Instead of a large hollow-point cavity, it has a shallow dish filled with a high-performance elastomer. Its exclusive Gold Dot construction virtually eliminates core/jacket separation. On impact, the material is forced into engineered internal fissures to start the expansion process. The result is uniform expansion, better separation of the petals, and more consistent penetration across barrier types. Read more

Ammunition

Atrius Upgrades Corporate Partner Level, Donates Rifle for November Sweepstakes

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The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) is pleased to announce that Atrius Development Group has upgraded its corporate partnership to the Platinum level and donated a rifle for the organization’s November sweepstakes.

“Strong advocacy is essential to the future of our industry,” said Atrius Founder and CEO Ryan Spadafore. “SAF plays an important role in protecting the constitutional rights of Americans, supporting lawful business and ensuring our industry can continue to innovate and compete. Atrius is proud to stand with SAF in defending the Second Amendment and the future of our industry.”

Atrius specializes in developing innovative firearm technologies and solutions for the AR-15 platform. Its flagship product, the Atrius Forced Reset Selector, is a 3-position forced-reset fire selector that allows users to switch between safe, semi and super-semi – a high-speed, forced-reset, semi-auto mode. Designed for drop-in compatibility with standard AR-15 fire control groups, the Atrius Forced Reset Selector provides a reliable and durable upgrade favored by tactical shooters and firearm enthusiasts. All Atrius products are proudly made in the USA by firearms enthusiasts, showcasing American craftsmanship and a passion for the Second Amendment that pushes the envelope of what is possible in the 2A space.

In addition to the upgraded partnership level, Atrius also donated a Sons of Liberty Gun Works rifle package that includes an 11.5-inch AR-Pistol featuring an Atrius Standard Ambidextrous Forced Reset Selector and an EoTech EXPS3-0 Holographic Weapon Sight. You can view the rifle and enter to win here.

“We’re thrilled Atrius has decided to upgrade their corporate partner commitment,” said SAF Executive Director Adam Kraut. “The increased support from Atrius will continue allowing us to remain on the front lines of the fighting for Second Amendment freedoms. With more than 50 active cases, including two “assault weapons” ban challenges at the Supreme Court, we are grateful for the continued commitment from our most staunch advocates.”

For more information visit SAF.org. Read more

Contests, Firearms
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